Beach Pigeons

As part of the series “Social Misfits: Portraits from Japan”

Social Misfits: Portraits from Japan is a photo series and collection of interviews exploring what it means to stand outside the norms of Japanese society. Japan is often described as a country of harmony, order, and tradition — yet within that structure are individuals who choose a different path or choose to express themselves in ways that resist social norms.

We spoke to Rina about growing up in Japan and how she navigates a society shaped by rules, expectations, and constant activity. This story introduces Rina, who shared her thoughts on fitting in, overstimulation, and the tension between comfort and freedom. For her, music, language, and talking with others are simple but essential ways of staying connected and present.

Scroll to view the full gallery and read our interview.

Full Gallery by Isabella Fowden

“I often feel I want to hide from everyone. I have nothing that I’d want everyone to know.” RIna

Where are you from?

Rina: I’m from Japan, so far

Have you grown up in Japan?

Rina: Yes, grown up in Kanagawa prefecture

“I feel I do fit in, but it’s difficult to fit in.” – RINA

How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

Rina: Hmm three words, I guess honest… and lazy, and kind of free.

What are your favourite things to do?

Rina: Hmm how many can I pick?
Currently or my whole life? Maybe playing the harp , and speaking to musicians,
I think I love to talk to people as well, it’s the most precious thing for me.

How would you describe traditional Japanese society?

Rina: I think they’re strict about everything, like time and rules and numbers, something like that. They are also kind of… kind. Like when I worked in a hospital, there were many rules to keep us safe, most of the rules are good for us, and are important. I appreciate that now. At that time I didn’t so much, but now I appreciate it.

I often feel Japanese people care what other people think. That makes Japanese society not easy to live. But at the same time that makes us kind of comfortable, so balance is important. Sometimes it’s too much. I feel for Japanese people some people might feel it’s not enough.

What are the positive aspects?

Rina: Are there many positive aspects to traditional Japanese society?
One thing I mentioned is they have rules to keep us safe, I think that’s good.

How do you feel that you fit into Japanese society?

Rina: Many things are too much for me. They care too much about other people. After I came back to Japan from Ireland, now I feel it’s too much to do, too much you can buy, you can go, you can see. It’s not easy to get bored, which is good but also makes me tired.

So do you feel you fit into Japanese society?

Rina: So far, no.

Why is that? That you feel you don’t fit in?

Rina: How do I say it?
I feel I do fit in, but it’s difficult to fit in.

How do you see your future?

Rina: Future? I only have a plan to go to Ireland.
In the future if I’m lucky I’ll go to a place to do some business like a guest house or cafe. To start my own business, if I’m lucky.

Do you hope to live and work in Japan forever?

Rina: Not forever, I kind of want to look around. It’s so big out there I don’t want to keep myself in one country.

What do you think makes you, you?

Rina: Anything I can enjoy, this makes me. Almost everything is for me, so far. That makes me.
Five years ago I did zine events, at that time I thought making zines made me. After I was in Ireland and back in Japan, I didn’t make them much and I found they’re not necessary for me but I can enjoy other things as well. Playing guitar, piano, harp and working within an international community.

In one sentence, what is your favourite thing about Japanese culture?

Rina: In English right?
I think I like Japanese, the language. Many words can’t translate directly to other languages, I find that really interesting.

What is your favourite Japanese word or phrase?

Rina: There are some.
Winka
It’s when you drive a car, you have to indicate, we call the light a winka, like wink.
It’s cute right?

What’s one thing you would want people to know about you?

Rina: I’m not sure, I often feel I want to hide from everyone. So that means I have nothing that I’d want everyone to know. I don’t know why, I feel I want to hide, but at the same time I want to do Instagram.